Patrick Peterson crept up on the edge of the tight Patriots formation on third-and-1, and proceeded to show why the Cardinals think he can be an elite all-around cornerback. As running back Stevan Ridley took the handoff, Peterson exploded off the ball, driving 6-foot-4, 263-pound tight end Michael Hoomanawanui backward and into the path of Ridley, sprinting on a sweep toward the open side of the field.

The 6-2, 219-pound Peterson then disengaged quickly from the block and grabbed Ridley, dragging him down for a stunning four-yard loss.

“Not many guys can make that play,” marveled Cardinals director of player personnel Steve Keim later.

Peterson collected headlines for running the “PatCat” offense in New England, and made it on ESPN’s top 10 plays for his diving one-handed interception of a tipped Tom Brady pass. But it was his excellent play on Ridley (video at the bottom) that made football people shake their head in amazement.

Patrick Peterson crept up on the edge of the tight Patriots formation on third-and-1, and proceeded to show why the Cardinals think he can be an elite all-around cornerback. As running back Stevan Ridley took the handoff, Peterson exploded off the ball, driving 6-foot-4, 263-pound tight end Michael Hoomanawanui backward and into the path of Ridley, sprinting on a sweep toward the open side of the field.

The 6-2, 219-pound Peterson then disengaged quickly from the block and grabbed Ridley, dragging him down for a stunning four-yard loss.

“Not many guys can make that play,” marveled Cardinals director of player personnel Steve Keim later.

Peterson collected headlines for running the “PatCat” offense in New England, and made it on ESPN’s top 10 plays for his diving one-handed interception of a tipped Tom Brady pass. But it was his excellent play on Ridley (video at the bottom) that made football people shake their head in amazement.

All of this begs the obvious question: Is there a more important player to this team than Patrick Peterson is right now? I'm not sure there is, not even Fitz.

Only a matter of time before he is a top 20 player in the NFL regardless of position IMHO. The tackle for a loss was a thing of beauty, but to blow up a TE as a CB pushing him into the backfield off the line, shed the block and explode to make the TFL was rediculous!

Wait, some Niners fans were actually laughing at the Peterson pick? I can't imagine that as almost EVERY SF fan wanted Peterson to slip to the 7th spot. I know for a fact I did, but this guy is going to be a superstar. Maybe Peterson got some flack when he was struggling against Crabtree, but what rookie CB doesn't struggle?

As for Aldon Smith struggling on a weak defensive team? Highly doubt it, he came in the league as an raw prospect and still put up huge numbers. People had doubts if he could play the run once he took over as the starter, but so far he has been very stout in that area. The next step will be getting better in pass coverage but that may take some time. Smith is going to be one of the best pass rushers for the next 10 or so years in this league. Peterson has the chance to become the best corner in a few years as well._________________

Wait, some Niners fans were actually laughing at the Peterson pick? I can't imagine that as almost EVERY SF fan wanted Peterson to slip to the 7th spot. I know for a fact I did, but this guy is going to be a superstar. Maybe Peterson got some flack when he was struggling against Crabtree, but what rookie CB doesn't struggle?

As for Aldon Smith struggling on a weak defensive team? Highly doubt it, he came in the league as an raw prospect and still put up huge numbers. People had doubts if he could play the run once he took over as the starter, but so far he has been very stout in that area. The next step will be getting better in pass coverage but that may take some time. Smith is going to be one of the best pass rushers for the next 10 or so years in this league. Peterson has the chance to become the best corner in a few years as well.

Yeah. When he was slipping and sliding on the field in the first game against the 49er's there were 49er fans laughing and saying he is crap.